2001 Ford Focus suspension problems

Filed Dec 21, 2021 · Suspension, Wheels · 190,000 miles · AL · crash

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving her vehicle at approximately 35 MPH, the ball joint snapped on the vehicle's passengers side. The contact stated there were no warning lights illuminated nor any indication of a failure prior to the ball joint snapping. The contact stated that when the failure happened to her vehicle it caused her to crash into a ditch. The contact stated that no injuries were sustained and the vehicle was towed to the residence where it remains currently. The contact stated that she did contact the dealer as well as the manufacturer who advised her to contact the federal safety agency. The failure mileage was 190,000.

Filed Jul 8, 2020 · Suspension · 158,000 miles · IN

While I find rust recalls for 2001 focus fusions and windstars ford claims there is no recall for frame collaps from excessive rust problems. We pulled out of our drive headed up a blind hill and the front end totally collapsed leaving us as an easy target. Several good folks jumped into action to help us get the mess safely off of the state highway by blocking traffic and helping us drag it back into our driveway. We are in our 70's and only drive the car 7-8 thousand miles a year. It has been babied and maintained by the book it entire lifetime . Conversations with ford have gotten us no where! Where do we turn ?

Filed Feb 4, 2016 · Suspension · IL

2001 ford focus with 146k miles. Adult driven one owner and well cared since new. Noticed clunking sound so took it in for brakes to the ford dealer. Was told by dealer they can't fix as entire subframe is rotted and "I was one pothole from the engine falling out". It appears that dealers use this line as I found other complaints with the exact same wording. How can you recall the escape and windstar for the same problem and not the focus? Because focus owners don't have the same money that those other higher end cars have? I was driving my new baby around in this car and thank god I didn't hit that one more pothole or both our lives could have been ended! All it takes is an internet search to realize that this is a common problem. The subframe is a very important component to a car that should not just rust away in 14 years! Clearly the design or materials used were at fault for this. Ford needs to recall these cars before more people are killed or injured!

Filed Dec 15, 2015 · Steering, Suspension · 165,611 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford focus. While driving, the vehicle pulled to the right independently and the contact lost control of the steering wheel. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lower control arm, ball joint assembly, and axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact did not know if the vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 02v289000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 165,611.

Filed Feb 6, 2015 · Suspension · 118,951 miles · NY

Right front coil spring broke as I was driving to the mechanic to have a ball joint on my left front tire replaced. Heard a clanging noise while driving. I thought it was from the bad ball joint, when mechanic checked he said the coil spring had snapped. Called ford about safety recall which came up when I put my VIN number into their website. I was informed that the warranty period was over and my car was not covered. It cost me 600.00 to have both repairs done by a mechanic. I filed a complaint with ford while on the phone with them and their advice was to save my receipt and if a recall goes into effect for this problem, I will get reimbursed. I have seen hundreds of complaints about this problem, yet ford just ignores the issue as it is still happening. Now today my back window made a noise and the window fell down and won't go back up. I've already had a new battery, alternator, plugs and coil pack replaced because of surging and stalling. I am also getting poor gas mileage. I was told by ford that there are no open recalls on my car yet I have and am having the same problems that many of the recalls in effect are listing. Very poor customer service by ford.

Filed Oct 27, 2014 · Suspension · 77,000 miles · WA

Checked your site for recalls. Found field service action number:03m02 re: coil springs. Previously checked for recalls two year ago. This notice was not on your site then. As the original owner, I have made it a point to keep abreast of all recalls. I was never notified of this notice by ford. Used the same dealer for repairs for the last 5 years. Called ford today. Ford said the dealer had a copy of this notice. Never informed of this by the dealer (auto nation, bellevue dealership). Your site posting of the notice said it expired after 10 year or 150,000 miles. Ford said I was out of luck as "what ever came first, years or mileage". I suspect that ford never notified the federal safety agency of this problem & I also suspect ford is doing a cya.

Filed Apr 15, 2014 · Suspension · 132,000 miles · PA

Right front coil spring broke while driving on the road. The broken spring penetrated the right front tire and immediately disabled the vehicle. It has been documented that this is a common problem for this vehicle, and it was determined that the springs were manufactured improperly and do not resist corrosion. Ford has recognized the probelm through several tsbs and even had a customer satisfaction program 03m02 with at least 2 supplements concerning the issue and replacement of the faulty parts. I spoke with a local ford dealer (hondru) and they told me the program expired and the car is no longer covered. I then spoke with a ford representative through direct customer service and they confirmed this was the case. They confirmed the conversation with number cas4271469-z6w0f2. The representative's name was kendra. I am deeply concerned about this because it is a significant safety risk to me an my family. The coil spring is a significant component of the suspension, and when it brakes the driver's ability to control the car is extremely compromised. To make things worse, the broken spring destroys the tire immediately, further reducing the ability to control the car. Since it was documented that there was a fault in the manufacturing process, and ford and the federal safety agency knew about the problem, these parts should have been replaced under a recall due to the safety concerns.

Filed Apr 8, 2014 · Body, Seat belts · 196,000 miles · MI

Subframe is rusted through.

Filed Dec 30, 2012 · Suspension · 75,735 miles · NH · crash

Front right lower balled joint separated and broke the control arm almost separated the wheel from the car. The car has not been repaired.

Filed Nov 20, 2012 · Body, Suspension · 50,000 miles · RI

Heard clunking noise-rear subframe is completely rotted and broken on both sides.